Preseason Interview — Union Pines Soccer

Preseason Interview -- Union Pines Soccer

The Vikings soccer team will take the field Friday night for the first time this season. Last year the Vikings finished the season with a 16-8-1 overall record and made it to the second round of the state playoffs before losing 5-1 against Williams. For the second year in a row, the ladies shared the regular season conference title with county rivals Pinecrest. They also won the conference championship against Pinecrest.

“We struggled against upper level teams and did well against everyone else,” said coach James Horwarth “Workouts went well this year. We had good participation as a group. We will be fielding two squads, but we do not have a lot in the way of numbers, but we do have quality all over the field.”

Seniors Riley Pittman (Center Mid), Abigail Phillips (Right Back), and Abigail Robbins (Center Mid) are all suffering injuries. Robbins will return within a few weeks. The others are out for the season. “I expect us to have some bumps in the road this year. There is a mix of juniors and freshman on varsity. The quicker they are able to gel, the better we will be. We lack seniors for the most part due to those injuries,” said Horwarth. “We should be battling again for the conference championship. Our ability to get past round two in the playoffs will depend on this group’s ability to come together as a team.”

“The team’s morale is very good in spite of the missing seniors. They are helping out a lot with the freshman. The freshman should provide many quality minutes in different areas of the team,” said Horwarth. “Scoring was not a problem for the most part during the season. Grace Queen, Taryn Pekala, and Briana St. Louis score over 50 goals combined for the season. The defense is missing two starters, but Lila Walker, who plays a lot of minutes last year, will step into the missing center back role and Ella Walker will take Abigail Phillip’s place.”

Robbins will be returning as the captain, also joined by Leah Morris and Grace Queen. “Right now we have a balance in leadership, with one being a part of the defense, the midfield, and the attack. They each have different leadership styles to assist with the younger players in helping us gel the team,” said Horwarth “Right now we have a balance in leadership with one being a part of the defense, the midfield, and the attack. They each have different leadership styles to assist with the younger players in helping us gel the team.”

Varsity

Bare, Jacquelin Jr

Davis, Pazilee Fr

DiMayo, Kylie Fr

Going, Brooke Jr

Hinds, Faith Jr

Huttman, Maddie Fr

Leach, Avery Fr

Ley, Daryn Sr

Morris, Leah Sr

Pekala, Taryn Jr

Post, Reece Fr

Queen, Grace Jr

Raszkowski, Cassidy Jr

Robbins, Abigail Sr

Solomon, Emily Jr

St. Louis, Briana Jr

Tortora, Aubrey So

Walker, Ella Sr

Walker, Lila So

Wortman, Ruby (Hope) Fr

Schedule:

3/1 vs Clinton 5:00pm

3/2 vs West Carteret 10:00am

3/6 @ Overhills 7:00pm

3/9 vs Hunt 11:40am

3/12 vs Lee County* 7:00pm

3/14 vs Montgomery Central 6:00pm

3/15 @ Chapel Hill 6:45pm

3/19 vs Scotland* 7:00pm

3/20 vs Terry Sanford 7:00pm

3/22 @ Richmond* 7:00pm

4/3 vs Athens Drive 7:00pm

4/5 vs Southern Lee* 6:00pm

4/5 vs Southern Lee* 6:00pm

4/9 @ Pinecrest* 7:00pm

4/12 @ Lee County* 6:00pm

4/15 vs Hoke County* 7:00pm

4/18 vs Carrboro 6:00pm

4/19 @ Scotland* 7:00pm

4/23 vs Richmond* 7:00pm

4/24 @ Cape Fear 7:00pm

4/26 @ Hoke County* 7:00pm

5/2 vs Pinecrest* 7:00pm